Hard Facts On Hard Hats

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32360, 28 July 1970, Page 1

Hard Facts On Hard Hats

The death of a New Zealand Forest Service worker about four years ago brought about an inquiry into the standard specifications of safety helmets. The worker was wearing a “hard hat.” He was bending over at the foot of a tree when a small branch and cluster of three green pine cones fell from far up. The cones hit the helmet, denting it and causing the worker to suffer fatal head injuries. The Workers’ Compensation Board granted the Industrial Development Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research $6OOO to test and experiment with safety helmets. Today more than 40 representatives of the Government and industry will attend in Christchurch the first conference on industrial head protection in New Zealand. Those present, including purchasing officers, will see the prototype of an experimental hel-

met which gives three times the protection of present helmets. World Leader The Workers’ Compensation Board and the Labour Department have agreed to specifications which make New Zealand the world leader in helmets to protect workers’ heads. Helmets manufactured to the specifications will, in particular, give protection to the temples and sides of the head—the weakest part of the skull—and greater protection against penetration from sharp falling or flying objects. Yesterday, the chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Board (Mr H. L. Bockett) said he Was very pleased with the exhaustive investigation into safety helmets carried out by the I.D.D. under Commander H. J. A. Lynch. "No matter how thickheaded, or hard-headed, a worker on the job in construction, mining, in ships’ holds, on the wharves, up power pylons, and wherever he C|n fall or have something

fall on him, should wear a safety helmet, and should wear the type that gives the best all-round protection,” said Commander Lynch. Commercial Matter He said that getting helmets made to the new standard specifications was a commercial matter. However, he was greatly encouraged by the action of watersiders at Mount Maunganui asking for a type of safety helmet, and also by information that some employers were prepared to pay up to 50 per cent more for a new type of helmet that would be three times as safe as existing ones. Mr R. W. Walker, industry safety officer in Canterbury of the National Safety Association, said that there were now more than 70 members of the New Zealand Turtle Club—persons who in the last three years had saved their liyes or avoided serious injury by wearing safety helmets. Commander Lynch said that persons taken to hospital fatal or

serious head injuries numbered about 800 a year and cost the country about $600,000 a year, including lost time at work. A Christchurch surgeon, Mr J. W. Ardagh, will be among those addressing the conference today. A colour film, “Heads Up,” will be shown, and Commander Lynch will demonstrate testing equipment and the prototype helmet. The photograph shows (from left) Mr Bockett, Commander Lynch, and Mr Walker. In front of the testing apparatus are (from left) a head mould; a safety helmet, which, although split by impact, saved the life of a New Zealander wearing it at work; the experimental prototype hat giving much improved protection; a “hard hat” which is current wear in New Zealand; and the safety helmet the forestry worker was wearing when he was hit by a cluster of falling pine cones and fatally injured. w $